Transition age youth

For young adults on the verge of adulthood, support from Aftercare and the Transition Age Youth Full Service Partnership Program is not a “nice to have,” it is the difference between crafting a good life and falling through the cracks into poverty, hunger, and homelessness. Without family support, these young adults have no one to lean on. Youth Homes can step in and continue to provide services — a critical resource at a critical time. These two programs fill a major gap for a population that struggles to cover the basics — every day.

AftercareYouth Homes’ Aftercare program is part of an array of mental health, case management and skill building programs for young adults ages 16-21. Aftercare ensures a continuity of care for young adults who leave our residential program and launch into adulthood.

For everyone, turning 18 or even 21 can be a rough transition. It’s especially difficult for foster youth with little or no familial support. Therefore, Youth Homes staff collaborates with youth and families from traumatized backgrounds. This program allows us to stay involved up until age 21. Aftercare Clinicians and Youth Advocates work with clients on mental health needs and help build independent living skills: finding housing, money management, meal planning, and securing employment.

Transition Age Youth Full Service Partnership (TAY FSP)Support from TAY FSP is critical to young adults, ages 18-25 years old, struggling with overwhelming life stressors and/or severe mental health challenges. To help achieve stability, Youth Homes provides community support to help young adults navigate the road to health and independence. We make sure that they have access to the basics: food, education, employment, housing, and transportation. We work with these young men and women to overcome mental health challenges and substance abuse. And because family is an essential part of life, we also help young people reconnect with a family member or relative, if that’s their desire.

Workforce Development: Stepping StonesOne of the programs that sets us apart from many other foster care agencies is our extensive commitment to help our clients find (and keep) gainful employment. Our coaching includes setting goals, writing a resume, filling out online applications, learning how to interview — even what to wear. Once a young person has a job, we continue our work — helping him or her see what it takes to stay employed — time management, workplace etiquette, and conflict resolution.

A unique aspect of the program is the relationship between Youth Homes staff and the employer. Youth Homes also provides support to the employer to address challenges that may arise and provides a wage subsidy for the first few months of the youth’s employment.

Resource CenterThe Resource Center is a dedicated space for transition-age youth. It creates a sense of teamwork and camaraderie while providing an array of resources for our transition-age youth, including job related activities and life skills training. The Resource Center also offers Youth Homes alumni support. Young adults who have participated in our programs are always welcome, for guidance, referrals, assistance in applying for scholarships and help getting a job. To view the upcoming activities in the Resource Center, visit the Event Calendar.

hard work pays off.

We’re about results. This year, 74% of young people who participated in Youth Homes’ Workforce Development program landed jobs. A strong work ethic is nurtured at Youth Homes every day.